Interplay between two phase flow and rock mechanics: Exploring the rheology of melt-rock mixtures

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A significant portion of the Earth's ductile crust constitutes melt-rock mixtures. These two-phase materials play a major role in the rheological behaviour of the Earth's crust, with important implications for earthquakes cycles and seismic hazards. Within the melt-rock mixtures melt can be "squeezed out", "fluxed through", or "accumulated within" the Earth's crust. The aim of the project is to identify patterns typical for each scenario and establish their rheological consequences. The student will assess two-phase flow from an applied mathematical perspective, focussing on the rheological consequences of two phase flow using mathematical models at conditions relevant to the Earths' crust and mantle and comparing emerging patterns to those seen in the rock record. The student will establish a mathematical framework to establish the rheological response of the three scenarios described above with special focus on the dynamic changes in scenario parameter fields and rheology through time and space. Numerical and mathematical results will be analysed not only in terms of rheology but also in terms of pattern formation. Identification of the conditions for different patterns to arise will allow direct comparison to geological features observed in the natural record. Geological data will be collected from specific geological environments (e.g. Scotland, Northern Italy) as well as from existing reported structures.